Shoe-lace protector.



W. J. C. NELSON.

SHOE LACE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9. 1915.

Qttoznog LnLmmm PLANOGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON. D- c.

Patented July 13, 1915.

"barman srarne arncr enrich.

WILLIAM J. C. NELSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SHOE-LACE PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed January 9, 1915. Serial No. 1,367.

of shining or polishing the shoe and to obvi-' ate any liability of the blackening or polishing paste from entering and clogging the eyelets through which the lace passes. And to these ends the invention consists of a guard plate having a body portion and a shank, the end portions of which are provided with means whereby the guard plate may be readily attached and detached from a shoe.

Other objects will appear and be better understood from that embodiment of my invention of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a view of a shoe showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the device and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 represents a guard plate, preferably formed of metal, into a tongue shaped body portion 2 which merges into a shank portion 3. The body portion is concavo-convex in cross section so that when the guard is in position on a shoe the body portion will, conform to the shape of the shoe over the instep and its marginal edges will contact with the shoe adjacent the eyelets and thus prevent any interference of the polishing cloth with the guard during the operation of shining or polishing.

Secured to the inner surface of the guard, adjacent the lower end thereof, is a hook 4 which is bent upwardly and arranged so as to be engaged under the lower loop 5- of a shoe lace as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The hook is rigidly secured to the guard in any suitable manner, such as by the rivets 6, and

Copies of this patent may be obtained for is designed to prevent the guard from slipping upwardly when it is in position on a shoe.

To prevent any lateral displacement of the guard when in use, a spring clip 7 is rigidly mounted on the upper end of the shank. This clip is of the yoke shape type, the arms of which are adapted to embrace the upper portion of the shoe around the ankle so as to securely retain the guard plate in position.

To effect the close fitting of the guard to the shoe, throughout its entire length, it will be noted that the shank 3 is curved lengthwise as indicated at 8 whereby to conform to the shape of the shoe at the upper portion thereof.

It is obvious that when the guard is in use on a shoe, the shoe lace and the lowermost eyelets are covered and entirely protected thus obviating any liability of the blackening or polishing paste from soiling the shoe laces and from entering and clogging the eyelets during the operation of shining or polishing.

What I claim as new is 1. A shoe lace protector, comprising a guard plate having a body portion and a shank, said body portion being concavo-convex in cross section and provided adjacent its lower end with a hook arranged'to engage the lower strand of the shoe lace and a spring clip mounted on the upper end of the shank arranged to embrace the upper portion of the shoe.

2. A shoe lace protector, comprising a guard plate having a body portion and a shank, said body portion being concavo-conveX in cross section and provided adjacent its lower end with a hook arranged to engage the lower strand of the shoe lace, said shank curved lengthwise so as to conform to the slope of the shoe and a spring clip mounted on the upper end of the shank arranged to engage the upper portion of the shoe.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. C. NELSON.

Witnesses:

THos. P. KING, W. R. SEAMAN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1). C. 

